So another Bank Holiday dawned, after having wasted the others in sleep or drinking I decided to take the camera for a walk (haven’t done that for too long).
As it was a nice day I thought I’d head to Hall Place, as kids we used to spend days there in the summer, swimming in the river, fishing for sticklebacks, paddling in the river, swinging from ropes and building dams*.
But I’d heard that it has had a bit of a makeover, though the formal gardens were always well cared for.
I have to say, it was really nice, the house is opened up to the public, the gardens are really lovely, There were picnics going on on, groups and families all enjoying the sunshine (some had even brought wind breaks, that’s foresight or familiarity)
There’s now a tea room and the obligatory pub/restaurant, but it is all pretty discreet. The only jarring note is the A2 which runs behind, but really it is so constant after a while you don’t even notice it (your brain ‘tunes it out’).
I will be going back for the rose garden when it flowers.
Here are some pictures, they are not great, I’m really out of practice, was blowing the exposure all over the place, but I hope they give an idea of the place.
*Swimming, paddling, fishing for sticklebacks, swinging from tires is of course strictly VERBOTEN these days
Oh and BTW it’s NO DOGS, it’s surprising though how many people I saw thought that didn’t apply to them.
It really is looking good. We used to go there as kids too but 'for a walk ' with the grandparents!
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